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Council resolved at its meeting on 17 June 2026 to place the previously adopted 2025 Code of Meeting Practice back on public exhibition for public comment after a disallowance motion was passed in the NSW Legislative Council, meaning the adopted Code was no longer valid. Council had exhibited an updated Code of Meeting Practice in 2025 and adopted the new code in December 2025. A number of changes were endorsed in Council's Code of Meeting Practice which had been in place since then and it is proposed to retain these changes.
Background Information
On 25 November 2025, Dr Amanda Cohn, Member of NSW Legislative Council, moved a disallowance motion seeking to disallow the regulation underpinning the new Model Code of Meeting Practice for Council’s. The Disallowance of the Local Government (General) Amendment (Model Code of Meeting Practice) Regulation 2025 motion was considered by the Legislative Council on 26 May 2026 and was passed. The effect of the Disallowance Motion is that the 2025 Model Code of Conduct ceases to have any effect insofar that the 2025 amendments prescribing the new Model Code of Meeting Practice no longer have legal force.
Following the disallowance and the requirements for Councils to revert back to their previously adopted Code of Meeting Practice, Council at its meeting held 17 June 2026 resolved to rescind the motion of Council “That Council adopt the 2025 Draft Code of Meeting Practice.” of its meeting held 10 December 2025 and to place a draft Code of Meeting Practice on public exhibition.
Draft Code of Meeting Practice - Summary of proposed changes
Council resolved to retain a number of changes introduced under the previously adopted 2025 Code of Meeting Practice. To retain those provisions, an amendment to the Code is required. The proposed changes to the new Code of Meeting Practice include:
quarterly Policy Committee meetings
registration to speak at public forum
acknowledgement of service personnel at April meetings only
public forum speaking time at 4 minutes
limitation of public forum to 1 hour
recording of all voting at council meetings
inclusion of a section 9.20 to provide clarity about reports requiring “the information be noted”.
You can submit your feedback via the submission form below, via email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or in writing to The General Manager, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.
Submissions must be lodged by 4pm on Monday 10 August 2026.
Council resolved at its meeting on 17 June 2026 to place the previously adopted 2025 Code of Meeting Practice back on public exhibition for public comment after a disallowance motion was passed in the NSW Legislative Council, meaning the adopted Code was no longer valid. Council had exhibited an updated Code of Meeting Practice in 2025 and adopted the new code in December 2025. A number of changes were endorsed in Council's Code of Meeting Practice which had been in place since then and it is proposed to retain these changes.
Background Information
On 25 November 2025, Dr Amanda Cohn, Member of NSW Legislative Council, moved a disallowance motion seeking to disallow the regulation underpinning the new Model Code of Meeting Practice for Council’s. The Disallowance of the Local Government (General) Amendment (Model Code of Meeting Practice) Regulation 2025 motion was considered by the Legislative Council on 26 May 2026 and was passed. The effect of the Disallowance Motion is that the 2025 Model Code of Conduct ceases to have any effect insofar that the 2025 amendments prescribing the new Model Code of Meeting Practice no longer have legal force.
Following the disallowance and the requirements for Councils to revert back to their previously adopted Code of Meeting Practice, Council at its meeting held 17 June 2026 resolved to rescind the motion of Council “That Council adopt the 2025 Draft Code of Meeting Practice.” of its meeting held 10 December 2025 and to place a draft Code of Meeting Practice on public exhibition.
Draft Code of Meeting Practice - Summary of proposed changes
Council resolved to retain a number of changes introduced under the previously adopted 2025 Code of Meeting Practice. To retain those provisions, an amendment to the Code is required. The proposed changes to the new Code of Meeting Practice include:
quarterly Policy Committee meetings
registration to speak at public forum
acknowledgement of service personnel at April meetings only
public forum speaking time at 4 minutes
limitation of public forum to 1 hour
recording of all voting at council meetings
inclusion of a section 9.20 to provide clarity about reports requiring “the information be noted”.
You can submit your feedback via the submission form below, via email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or in writing to The General Manager, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.
Submissions must be lodged by 4pm on Monday 10 August 2026.
